Bioclimatic Architecture Course | Passive Design Strategies for Sustainability | NPTEL
Course Details
| Exam Registration | 553 |
|---|---|
| Course Status | Ongoing |
| Course Type | Core |
| Language | English |
| Duration | 12 weeks |
| Categories | Architecture and Planning, Civil Engineering, Sustainable Architecture, Environment |
| Credit Points | 3 |
| Level | Undergraduate |
| Start Date | 19 Jan 2026 |
| End Date | 10 Apr 2026 |
| Enrollment Ends | 02 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Registration Ends | 20 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Date | 17 Apr 2026 IST |
| NCrF Level | 4.5 — 8.0 |
Master the Art of Sustainable Design with Bioclimatic Architecture
With the built environment responsible for a staggering 40% of global greenhouse gas emissions, the architectural and construction industries stand at a critical crossroads. The path forward demands a fundamental shift from energy-intensive, active systems to intelligent, climate-responsive design. This is the core promise of Bioclimatic Architecture—a design philosophy that harmonizes buildings with their natural surroundings to ensure comfort, efficiency, and sustainability.
We are thrilled to introduce a comprehensive 12-week NPTEL course, "Bioclimatic Architecture: Futureproofing with Simple and Advanced Passive Strategies," meticulously crafted by one of India's leading experts in the field. This course is your definitive guide to designing buildings that are not just structures, but living, breathing ecosystems attuned to their climate.
Your Guide: Prof. Iyer Vijayalaxmi Kasinath
Learning from an expert with both deep academic knowledge and extensive practical experience is invaluable. This course is led by Prof. Iyer Vijayalaxmi Kasinath, a distinguished professor in the Department of Architecture at the School of Planning and Architecture, Vijayawada.
With over 28 years of teaching experience specializing in Sustainable Built Environment and Climate Responsive Architecture, her credentials are exemplary. A Ph.D. scholar and Erasmus Mundus Fellow, she conducted higher research at Politecnico di Milano in ‘Smart Materials and Nanotechnology in Construction’. Her expertise is further cemented by:
- Authored Scopus-indexed books like ‘Building Thermal Performance and Sustainability’ and ‘Embodied and Operational Carbon in Buildings’ (Springer).
- Edited multiple Scopus-indexed books for Springer Publications.
- Led funded research projects for the Government of India.
- Recipient of the National Award for Teachers 2025 from the Honorable President of India.
- Awarded as faculty lead in the Solar Decathlon Competition (2022 & 2024).
- A published patent awaiting examination.
Why This Course is Essential
This course directly addresses India's ambitious commitment to achieve Carbon Neutrality by 2070. It empowers the next generation of architects, engineers, and planners with the scientific knowledge and practical tools to design buildings that drastically reduce reliance on mechanical heating and cooling.
You will move beyond generic green building concepts to a nuanced, climate-specific understanding of passive design. The curriculum is designed to help you:
- Scientifically identify the correct passive strategy for any climate type.
- Understand the working principles of both simple and advanced techniques.
- Analyze real-world applications through vernacular and contemporary case studies.
- Comprehensively assess the impact of these strategies on a building's overall sustainability and energy footprint.
Detailed 12-Week Course Layout
The course is structured to build your knowledge from foundational principles to complex, integrated applications.
| Week | Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| Week 1-2 | Introduction to Bioclimatic Architecture, Simple & Advanced Passive Strategy principles, Climate Classification (Köppen, Candolle), India's Climate Zones. |
| Week 3 | Deep dive into climate characteristics: Hot-Dry, Warm-Humid, Composite, Cold, and Temperate. Introduction to Thermal Comfort Models. |
| Week 4 | Climate analysis tools: Mahoney’s Tables, Psychrometric & Bioclimatic Charts, Climate Consultant software. Building Orientation and Form. |
| Week 5 | Design of Openings, Shading Devices, Urban Heat Island mitigation, and Earth Sheltering techniques. |
| Week 6-10 | Advanced Passive Systems: Solar Chimneys, Roof Ponds, High-Performance Glazing, Double Roofs, Cool Roofs, Thermal Mass/Night Flushing, Green Façades, Solar Air Collectors, Evaporative Cooling systems, Root Zone Treatment, Trombe Walls, Wind Towers, Cavity Walls, Sunspaces, Green Roofs, PCM Glazing, Earth-Air Heat Exchangers, Radiant Cooling. |
| Week 11-12 | Climate-specific passive design strategy application with detailed case studies for Moderate, Warm-Humid, Hot-Dry, Composite, and Cold climates. Course recap and conclusion. |
Who Should Enroll?
This course is perfectly suited for:
- Undergraduate and Postgraduate Students in Architecture, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Town Planning.
- Practicing architects and engineers looking to deepen their sustainable design expertise.
- Sustainability consultants and green building professionals.
Prerequisites: A foundational background in Architecture, Civil, or Mechanical Engineering is recommended.
Industry Relevance & Support
The skills taught in this course are in high demand. Graduates will be invaluable assets to:
- Construction companies targeting Net-Zero projects.
- Firms specializing in Green Building certification (e.g., LEED, GRIHA, IGBC).
- Architectural and engineering consultancies focusing on sustainable development.
- Government urban planning and development bodies.
Key Learning Resources
The course pedagogy is supported by references from seminal texts, including:
- Architecture & Passive Design by James O'Connor
- Earth Sheltered Housing: Principles in Practice by Max Terman
- Bioclimatic Architecture by Óscar Mira Vázquez
- Architecture and the Environment: Bioclimatic Building Design by David Lloyd Jones
Embark on this transformative learning journey to become a pioneer in sustainable design. Enroll in "Bioclimatic Architecture: Futureproofing with Simple and Advanced Passive Strategies" and equip yourself with the knowledge to design a greener, more resilient future, one building at a time.
Enroll Now →